Local Real Estate

Subscribe Now

STRIKING Curtis Island protesters changed their tack on Friday morning, with around 50 CFMEU members peacefully standing by the side of the road at Port Central in Gladstone, waving flags and yelling at the passing cars.

The move follows a morning of chaos on Thursday when picketing workers blocked traffic, causing delays across town.

"Vote no" was the message to fellow workers, with numbers growing as workers who were in support pulling over in their vehicles to join the protest.

About 10 police officers were on hand to ensure the peace was being kept, and said protesters at the Port Central and Fisherman's Landing sites were protesting within the law.

On Thursday, in scenes reminiscent of a Thatcher-era uprising, two people were arrested and at least 100 more vocal union members disrupted the morning commute for thousands of workers when they set up a picket line at Port Central.

The industrial action was described as the beginning of an "indefinite" strike.

Last night, a tent had been pitched at Port Central but most protesters had gone home, while those at the APLNG wharf were camped around a fire.

The union denied public claims that rocks were thrown, abuse yelled, members turned up with alcohol, cars were spat at and a person was pushed off his motorbike.

LNG workers strike for better conditions:
CFMEU members are striking for a better work roster on Curtis Island with a picket line set up at Port Central.

Gladstone police arrested two people for wilful damage and contravening police orders, and many more were given orders to move on.

Bechtel Gladstone general manager Kevin Berg said many workers had reported to work as normal, "despite the unsafe and illegal actions of a few".